It was confirmed on the clubs'official website this morning that West Ham United are to put an end to Carlton Cole's contract speculation and release him at the end of his current deal.

The striker has spent seven years at Upton Park since being brought the club by Alan Pardew in the summer of 2006 from London rivals Chelsea.

Cole has scored 59 goals in 237 appearances for the club and was an integral part of West Ham's promotion bid last season. He scored the first goal in the 2-1 win against Blackpool in the play-off final at Wembley which sent the Hammers straight back to the Barclays Premier League, having been relegated in the 2010/11 season.

Throughout numerous transfer windows, Cole has been linked with a move away from Upton Park, but has always stayed loyal. A was lucky enough to have a lengthy discussion with him at the supporters advisory board Christmas party in December 2011 in which he said that in an ideal world he would like to end his career with the Hammers. Since that time he has fallen down the pecking order due to Sam Allardyce's preference to play one striker upfront and, since Andy Caroll returned from injury in November, Cole has played very little football.

We at fans online would like to wish Carlton all the best for the rest of his career and I'm sure he will be missed as he was a firm fans favourite during his spell at the Boleyn Ground. However, the Cole song won't be wasted as the fans will be able to sing it when Joe Cole is playing well as he is also regarded as a legend at the club.